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Feature Perth Royal Beer Show Winners 2012

Tue Nov 13 2012 by Crafty Pint

For the first time, WA Beer Week this year kicked off with the state’s beer industry’s night of nights. Friday night’s Gala Dinner saw trophies awarded for the best beers from both commercial and amateur brewers. And the big winners were Swan Brewery and the Billabong Brewery.

The former took out the trophies for Best Commercial Brewery, Best WA Brewery, Best Packaged Lager and Best Packaged Midstrength in what is something of a swansong for the brewery after Lion announced recently that it would be closing. As for Billabong (above), it was a night to remember as their Wheat Beer won no less than four trophies all by itself.

In the Amateur category, occasional Crafty Pint scribe Jeremy Sambrooks took home the trophy for Best Amateur Brewery. Two of his beers also picked up the Best Stout and Best Reduced Alcohol titles.

Other trophy winners in the Commercial section included McLaren Vale, Old Coast Rd Brewery, The Monk and The Generous Squire. Completing the amateur winners were Maltmans, Aaron Greengrass and Terry Weaver.

Chief Judge Richard Watkins, head brewer at Wig & Pen in Canberra – the reigning AIBA Champion Small Brewery, says: âThe premier craft beer state in Australia, WA, has lived up to its reputation.

âNot only did the competition increase by 70 entries to 343 entries from all around Australia but the standard was exceptionally high in both the professional and amateur competitions. It was an exceptional result.â

The Crafty Pint is an independent online magazine and resource for anyone interested in craft beer in Australia. We bring an honest, old-fashioned journalistic approach to beer's brave new world, telling stories because they're worth telling not because someone is paying us to write them.

Like many of the people who have changed the face of beer in Australia, we believe in authenticity, integrity, enjoyment and love. We hope to play a role in helping good beer, brewed by good people, find its way into the hands of more drinkers.